by Trevor Bevins, Local Democracy Reporting Service.
EXTRA money will be needed from both Dorset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole councils to keep the county’s Joint Archive Service running.
Even with a 5 per cent increase from both unitary authorities in the coming financial year the service will remain under-funded and may have to restrict services.
The county-wide archive service is reported to have suffered a 33per cent erosion in funding, in real terms, over the past 11 years.
A report to councillors says had it kept up with the Retail Price Income it would today have a budget approaching £1million a year – compared to the existing £635,000.
Councillors are being asked to approved a 5% increase for 2025/26 – giving a budget of £667,113, with contributions split between the two councils based on population: BCP Council contributing £340,961, with Dorset Council providing £326,152.
A report to the Joint Archive Service board says that despite financial pressures, the service has consistently demonstrated value for money. A 2015 audit praised its efforts to reduce costs and increase income through initiatives such as solar energy generation, leasing space within the Dorset History Centre (DHC) in Dorchester and offering paid public services. Energy costs have been cut by 65% thanks to solar panels and passive building management system.
The service has 12 full-time equivalent posts with the National Archives’ 2024 accreditation report noting the lack of any flexibility in staffing, although the service has partly bolstered capacity through externally funded project roles and volunteer support.
Since 2010, the service has attracted over £1 million in external grant aid and Dorset Council has invested more than £1.8 million in capital improvements at the county town Bridport Road building.
Pressures facing the service include the need for additional storage space, which is possible by building an extension, costed at around £5million, which could be constructed alongside the existing Dorchester building, provided grant and other funding can be found. The service is hoping that National Lottery funding will meet most of the cost but even if the application is successful around £300,000 will need to be raised locally.
A decision on the Lottery bid is expected in March 2026.
Alternatives being considered including renting commercial storage space elsewhere, although the option, if adopted, is likely to mean some records then being kept out of the county with additional problems for access.
The centre, which was built in 1991, was designed for 25 years of archives with pressure for space increased by the 2019 local government reorganisation leaving less than 4per cent of space now available.
Related item: ‘Modest’ fee increases coming in 2026 for History Centre services
